The Bobcat Bulletin

Founders Memorial School News: April 19, 2024

From the Principal

Dear FMS Families,

I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child’s education. We value family involvement and feedback, and I am proud of the collaborative culture we have at FMS. I want to acknowledge that this year’s budget process has been challenging. I also want to share that the second budget vote on May 7, 2024 will be for a budget I support. The budget being presented will continue to provide the high quality educational experience that our students deserve. Please see below for a letter from all EWSD Principals for more information.

I am always here for conversation - please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns.

I hope you and your families have a restful April break!

Sincerely,

Sara Jablonski

FMS Principal

Dear EWSD Community,

The EWSD Leadership Team wholeheartedly supports the direction of a revised budget with a $4.5 million reduction from the initial failed budget presented to the voters on April 9, 2024. We believe it strikes a balance between minimizing the impact on student learning and addressing the affordability concerns of our taxpayers in these unprecedented times.

Here’s what the revised budget going to the voters on May 7th will include:

Cost and Impact

Year-over-year EWSD General Fund expenses will increase by 3.5%, down from 7.7% from the original budget
The Homestead tax rate, before the common level of appraisal, will be reduced from FY24 by almost 1.0%
Tax impact, after the common level of appraisal, reduced on average by 8.2% from the original budget

Instructional Priorities Included Due to Trade-Offs

RTI coaches focused on SEL, academics, and equity at all K-8 schools shall be maintained
K-8 special educators and 6-8 math interventionists shall be maintained (enabling recalls)
Class size averages - across all K-8 schools - will be between the minimum and optimal levels
Maintain Fine Arts investments to meet student demand
Maintains Honors and AP courses
Preserves mental health supports

Reductions Will Include

Three of 11 District Office administrator positions will be eliminated (a 27% reduction)

District Office support staff will be reduced by 1.80 FTE (an 8.7% reduction)
Operations staffing (Technology, Facilities, Transportation, and Child Nutrition) will be reduced by 6%
Three District-level lead positions will be eliminated (which were to work with new RTI coaches)
Reduce the overall budget for salary adjustments District-wide
Defer facility capital projects
Supply line items and other non-personnel budgets reduced across the board

Additional Revenue

Revenue increases from tuition, state aid, and facility use
Leverage restricted grant funding (Federal Title funds & Capital Reserves)

We will continue to share information as we move forward in the process. Please note that the Board’s meeting on Tuesday, April 23, will start at 6:30 p.m. and will be fully virtual. Visit the EWSD budget page to stay updated on the latest budget information (presentation slides, videos, minutes, and more).

Please reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

The EWSD Principals

EMS Parent Night

FMS Read-A-Thon

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Thanks to our dedicated students, staff and families, the FMS Read-a-Thon was a huge success! We read for a grand total of 201,124 minutes.

Each classroom celebrated with a popsicle party, and the top class from each grade level received a few bonus gifts from our amazing PTO. The winning clases were Mrs. Button, Miss Senesac, and Ms. Walsh.

The staff participated as well, and held our own friendly competition. The educator with the most minutes read was Mr. Bowker!

Our colorful bookworm started in the lobby and extended all the way to the library. Many students helped decorate the dots as we read, and it's such a beautiful display. We plan to keep it up for a few more weeks as a reminder of all of our hard work!

Congrats!! Keep reading, FMS!

-Mrs. Biggs